5 games to watch: Liverpool look to remain first in the Premier League
By Adam Stocker
Here are five of the best matches from Europe this weekend, headlined by Liverpool hosting Chelsea at Anfield.
Most European title races are all but wrapped up at this stage, with two notable exceptions, in Germany and England. Elsewhere, the main interest in Europe’s top five leagues is the race for Champions League qualification. Here are five games to watch this weekend.
5. Sevilla vs. Real Betis — Saturday, April 13, 2:45 p.m. ET (BeIN Sports)
La Liga has a disappointing matchday. The top three clubs are all playing clubs in the lower half of the table. The most compelling game of the weekend features Sevilla hosting Real Betis. Sevilla are fifth, one point behind Getafe for the final Champions League spot. Betis are ninth but not out of the race for the Europa League. Only two points separate Betis and seventh-place Alaves.
4. Lille vs. Paris Saint-Germain — Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m. ET (BeIN Sports)
Normally a game between first and second this late in the season would be a must-watch. In Ligue 1, however, that’s not the case. Paris Saint-Germain and they vast financial superiority are again running away with the league title. Thomas Tuchel’s club are 20 points ahead of Lille. Despite the massive point differential, Lille were able to play PSG tough the last time they played, forcing the capital club to score two late second-half goals to win. Lille will get their second chance to prove how good they are against PSG on Sunday.
3. RB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg — Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m. ET (FS1)
The Bundesliga title race is one of the tightest in Europe with only one point separating Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The title race has overshadowed the race for European positions this season, but there’s still plenty of intrigue there. RB Leipzig would likely lock up a spot in the Champions League next season with a victory on Saturday when they host Wolfsburg. Leipzig are third in the Bundesliga and could move 10 points clear of fifth-place Borussia Monchengladbach with a win. Wolfsburg are also battling for a spot in Europe. The Wolves are sixth in the Bundesliga with 45 points. However, with three teams trailing them by three or fewer points, they could be in jeopardy of falling out of a Europa League spot.
With both teams battling for European spots, it should make for a great game, especially with how both clubs have been playing lately. Leipzig have won three straight and are unbeaten in their last 10 games, picking up 24 points. Wolfsburg picked up 17 of a possible 27 points in their last nine and have only lost to Bayern and Dortmund since the start of February.
2. AC Milan vs. Lazio — Saturday, April 13, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Last season, Lazio missed out on the Champions League after losing the final game of the season to Inter Milan. This season, the race for fourth in Serie A is even tighter. AC Milan are currently tied for fourth with Atalanta. Roma are sixth in the table, one point behind Milan and Atalanta. Lazio and Torino are tied for seventh, sitting three points back of the final Champions League spot.
The race will get even more interesting on Saturday when Lazio travel to the San Siro to play Milan. A month ago, it looked like Milan would cruise to a Champions League spot. However, after picking up only one point in their last four games, Milan are again fighting for their Champions League lives. A loss on Saturday would send Milan in a tailspin and they could miss out on Europe altogether.
Lazio have been up and down all season. For stretches, they looked like they were going to break through. However, they’ve also had stretches that are incredibly frustrating, like when they drew four straight games. The Eagles have played well lately, picking up 11 points in their last six games. Lazio will have to continue to pick up points if they are going to qualify for Europe next season.
1. Liverpool vs. Chelsea — Sunday, April 14, 11:30 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
The Premier League title race is unlikely to be decided until the final game of the season. Liverpool and Manchester City have been going punch, counter-punch the entire season. The Reds could win the rest of their games this season and still lose the title, despite holding a one-point lead heading into their game on the weekend. On Saturday, Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield. Anything less than a win will likely end the Reds’ title hopes. Jurgen Klopp’s team will need City to slip up over the final six games if they’re going to end their nearly 30-year title drought.
Chelsea got off to a great start under Maurizio Sarri but have struggled over the second half before rebounding recently. The Blues looked like they were going to finish sixth before catching fire over their last seven games, picking up 16 points. Chelsea have moved up to third in the table behind the incredible play of Eden Hazard, who has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season. But one of the main reasons to tune into a Chelsea game recently has been that Sarri has been more willing to play younger players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Both players have seen their roles increase week over week over the past month and that trend should continue through the end of the season.